Pierce County, WA to Dispensaries: Get Licensed or Get Out

TACOMA, WA — All unlicensed marijuana retailers — medical or recreational — in unincorporated areas of Pierce County, Washington, must obtain licensing by July 1, 2016 or close, officials said Monday.

“It’s important that these individuals know that after a certain date they will no longer be allowed to operate,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy in a statement Monday.

County officials estimate approximately 60 marijuana retailers — mostly medical marijuana dispensaries — are currently operating in unincorporated parts of the county, and could be effected.

McCarthy added that it is not the County’s intention to force these retailers out of bushiness.  Instead, the county will work with dispensaries to obtain licencing before the July 2016 deadline.

“It is…